Summary
Copper one Penny Token, minted by W.J.Taylor of London or Heaton & Sons of Birmingham. Issued by T. Butterworth & Co, Drapers, Grocers & General Provision Merchants in Castlemaine, circa 1858. Although this business is named for an individual it was in fact run by four Butterworth brothers, Thomas, Robert, Benjamin and John. The brothers purchased their business from Messrs Sargood and Gardner, around 1856. The brothers were noted for conduct befitting successful men of their time, and involved themselves in the life of their community. Tom and Ben played Cricket for the Australian squad that played against the touring English Eleven in 1863, and Ben represented Victoria on several occasions during the 1860s. They were noted in the 1863 Victorian Cricketers Guide as batsmen and capable fielders. As activity at Castlemaine decreased, the brothers recognised the decline of their prospects and moved to Dunedin, New Zealand, sometime between 1862 and 1864, where their store was said to be thriving in 1910.
Physical Description
A round copper token (34 mm diameter). The token features the name, address and business of the issuer: T. Butterworth & Co., 1 Forest St. Castlemaine, wine & spirit merchants, wholesale & retail grocers & drapers.
Obverse Description
.T.BUTTERWORTH & Co. / 1 / FOREST / STREET / CASTLEMAINE The numeral 1 is 3.4 mm tall, border of 128 beads.
Reverse Description
At centre, WINE / & / SPIRIT / MERCHANTS around, WHOLESALE & RETAIL GROCERS & DRAPERS *
Edge Description
Plain
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
Numismatics & Philately, Sustainable Futures, Working Life & Trades
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Acquisition Information
Transfer from National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Mr Alfred Chitty, 15 Mar 1976
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Date Issued
circa 1858 AD
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Issued By
Butterworth, T.& Co, Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia, circa 1858
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Mint
W.J.Taylor, Mint, London, England, Great Britain, circa 1858
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Previous Collection
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Inscriptions
Obverse:T. BUTTERWORTH & Co. 1 FOREST STREET CASTLEMAINE Reverse: WINE & SPIRIT MERCHANTS WHOLESALE & RETAIL GROCERS & DRAPERS
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Denomination
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Series
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Material
Copper
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Axis
12
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Dimensions
34 mm (Outside Diameter), 15.97 g (Weight)
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Shape
Round
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References
Two obverse dies were needed to complete the Butterworth orders for tokens. They are most easily identified by the height of the numeral 1 of the address and the bead count around the rim: Obverse height of 1 Border Beads A 4.1 mm 135 B 3.4 mm 128 Both obverse dies were used with a reverse giving details of the company business, Reverse 1 and in 1859 with a reverse depicting a seated figure of Justice, Reverse 2. This token was struck with the die combination B/1 This work has normally been associated with W.J. Taylor in London but Heaton & Son may also have produced this reverse type.
[Book] Andrews, Arthur. 1921. Australasian Tokens and Coins., No. 53
[Book] Heyde, Gilbert C. & Skinner, Dion H. 1967. Unofficial Coins of Colonial Australia and New Zealand., No. 32/2
[Article] Sharples, John P. 1993. A Catalogue of the Trade Tokens of Victoria 1848 to 1862. Journal of the Numismatic Association of Australia. vol.7: p.1-77., V. 19
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Keywords
Drapers, Grocers, Retailing, Shops, Spirits, Wholesale Trade, Wine & Spirit Merchants
